This is one of those uber things that rather cleverly gets around any unfortunate
copyright nonsense. But between you and me, the two main characters do bear an uncanny
resemblance to two of Greece's finest. Well, Greece in a sort of Texan and
New-Zealanderish kind of way, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, this is about a rich kid from California and a stoical private eye from London,
and how their courage changed the world. Or something.

The only warning I can give is that at one point two women get hot and sweaty with each
other, in amongst all the car chases, huge punch-ups, and massive explosions. Now really,
come on, people, this is the twenty-first century. Surely love is love and hardly
requiring any such warning, is it?

By the way, I might have exaggerated the action a little bit. Well, quite a lot,
really. Sorry about that. And to be honest the sex is pretty tame, too. Oops.

Serious bit:

I'd like to thank the Bards' Village for enduring the early versions and being kind
enough to point out my many shortcomings. I'd especially like to thank Stacia for her
fabulous proofing, without whom this story would be riddled with ofs instead of offs and
yours instead of you'res etc. So, if you think it's bad now, just imagine how awful it was
before Stacia spinkled her magic dust on it. :)

The man took the proffered report but didn't bother reading it. Instead he dropped it
to the floor next to his briefcase.

"What does it say?" he asked.

"If you read it, you'll know," came the terse reply. The two people seated on
either side of the desk in the small, neat office stared at each other. The only sound was
from the gently oscillating desk fan that despite its name was perched on a filing
cabinet.

"I'm a busy man, I have people to read these things for me. I don't have
time."

"Fine, then get one of them to read it for you."

"Look, I've paid you a lot of money for this, I expect a little effort on your
part."

"Okay, bottom line. Yes, your wife's seeing someone else. Several someones, in
fact. Now if that's all, I've got other cases to work on, thank you and good day."
The woman turned to her computer screen and began moving the mouse.

The man made no move to get up or leave. "You don't like me much, do you?"

"Not much," she said, without looking away from the screen.

"But enough to take my money?"

"You got what you wanted, I got what I wanted. Whad'ya want, my private telephone
number?"

"Would you give it?"

"Nope."

"Didn't think so." He paused a moment. "So, you going to tell me what I
want to know?"

"I thought you were a busy man?"

"So, I'll just get my secretary to reschedule. No big deal."

The woman stopped studying her computer and turned to the man. She sighed and nodded.
"All right, here's the fuller version. I followed your wife from her place of work to
a hotel in Mayfair. There she met someone and they went to her room. Did that several
times in fact. Last Friday the pattern changed. Two hours after the meeting in the hotel
she left with yet another person. I followed her and the third person to a night-club.
There, I managed to videotape them being intimate in a cubicle in the ladies. The tape's
in the folder, enjoy it at your leisure. Now, if there really is nothing else..." She
held out her hand to the office door.

"Was there any trouble?"

"None that I couldn't handle."

"Oh..."

"Your wife's companion spotted me taping them and urged the club's bouncers to
recover the tape."

"They didn't get it, I take it?"

"Nope."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

He studied the woman across the desk from him. "Why don't you like me?"

"Any reason why I should?"

"I'm a likeable person. If you'd let me, I could prove it to you."

"Not if you were the last man on the planet."

The man smiled a thin, humourless smile. He stood up, placing the folder in his
briefcase and closing it with a snap. "Maybe next time, Ms Farmer." He held out
his hand to shake, but she ignored it, returning instead to her screen.

"Make sure you close the door on your way out."

He abruptly turned and marched from the room, slamming the door with a loud bang.

"Arsehole," the woman muttered under her breath. In truth, she felt
desperately sorry for the woman she'd been paid to spy on. The woman's husband was a
hypocrite and an arrogant chauvinist. A man who considered it perfectly acceptable to have
a string of mistresses, but thought nothing of setting a private detective onto his wife
for trying the same thing.

She smiled at the thought of the look on his face when he got home and watched the tape
and found his wife was two-timing him with other women. 'Serves him right,' she
chuckled mentally.

After a moment the amusement stopped and the woman sighed. Catching her own reflection
in the monitor screen she contemplated it in silence. The brief flash of despair and
longing she saw in the piercing eyes staring back at her tightened into a scowl followed
swiftly by a grunt of self-disgust. Angrily she switched off the screen and stood up. 'Damn
it, time to go home,' she decided. Not that she particularly wanted to do what waited
for her at home, but at least it would be away from the four small walls suddenly pressing
in on her.

She meticulously locked all the cabinets and switched off the lights and set the
intruder alarm. The brass sign on the door needed a proper polish but that could wait for
another day; "Terry Farmer, Private Investigations." Her father's name still
standing proud. She touched the plate with her hand, feeling the familiar tingle and
reassuring sense of comfort. He was still there, keeping a watchful eye -- she could feel
him.

'Getting soft in my old age,' she thought. She held her hand up in front of her
face, extending her fingers with isometric tension, staring intently at it, looking for
any signs of loss of control. The hand remained steady as a rock, despite the muscles
flexing under the skin. Good.

Turning thirty hadn't diminished her physical strength and control. She rubbed the hand
across her face and frowned. 'Come on, Farmer, get your act together, what if Mr
Vadgamma came out of his little office over there and saw you studying your hand?' She
smiled briefly at the thought of trying to explain to her neighbour what she might be
doing. Not that he'd be so impolite as to question anything she might choose to do, of
course. Not least of all because she was over a foot taller than he was. But he was a
sweetie and always bid her a smiling good morning when they met on the stairs, always
asking how the business of investigating privately was doing. She always smiled back
graciously and said it was doing as well as could be expected. He would nod sagely, lift
his hat and bow slightly as they passed each other on their respective ways. She turned
and left the building.

Reaching her motorbike in the small carpark reserved for the office block, she unlocked
the seat holding her crash helmet and crammed it on her head, not bothering to tidy away
her long black hair. The large Japanese bike throbbed into life at the touch of a button,
as she zipped up her leather jacket. Twenty minutes later she was pulling into the
underground carpark of the block of luxury flats on Chelsea embankment, where she lived,
overlooking the river Thames. Her father may have founded the company, but it was Teri's
hard work, skills and determination that had made it into a highly successful business.
Good enough to buy a fancy high-rise apartment and a few expensive toys that she rarely
bothered with, plus a bank account that simply grew and grew.

Both her parents were dead and she was an only child. She'd never been married, not
even close, not during her time in university, nor her short stay in the army, nor later
her even shorter say in the police force. Like money, matrimony and a family just weren't
anything that had ever interested her. Being left alone was her main priority in life.
Work, keeping fit, and earning money were simply means to that end. A family and kids were
so far down the list as to have fallen off it, sometime just prior to her teens. Nothing
and no one had ever come along to make her reassess the situation.

The apartment was large by London standards, but then it had cost over two million
pounds, so it should be. Large plate glass windows covered one end, looking out onto a
narrow balcony overhanging the river. The interior was minimalist, some would say Spartan.
A wood floor, a few leather chairs and a sofa, a large plasma screen TV, a few small
tables, one of them with a laptop computer on it, and an expensive stereo that rarely got
switched on, were all that were visible. A single photograph of her parents hung on one
wall.

An expensively equipped kitchen, two very large bedrooms and bathroom completed the two
million pounds' worth. Not a lot, considering that amount could buy a mansion in some
parts of Britain. But London was where the well-paying clientele expected her to be, so
that's where she was. Having far more work being offered to her than she could actually
deal with left her in the enviable position of being able to pick and choose what she
wanted to do. But even she wasn't stupid enough to turn down the head of an international
company prepared to pay ridiculous amounts of money to keep tabs on his errant wife.

Terri hung up her helmet on the coat rack by the front door and removed her jacket,
hanging it next to the helmet. It was the one of the two or three nights a week she set
aside for a serious work out. She'd been doing it for so long that she neither
particularly looked forward to it nor tried to excuse herself from it. It was just
something she always did every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, and that was that.

She stopped on the way to her bedroom to collect a small bottle of spring water from
the fridge in the kitchen, dropping her motorbike keys into the small dish on top of the
worksurface. In the bedroom she peeled off her working clothes, down to her sports bra and
panties, and tied back her hair into a ponytail. Pulling on some tight cycle shorts she
opened her large, mostly empty fitted wardrobe and pulled out a metal pole and a shaped
metal bar.

Having snapped the round pole into some recessed lugs in the doorway to her bedroom,
she stooped and snapped the shaped piece into lugs on the floor. Now all that was needed
was to turn on the TV, without any sound, and time her repetitions to the programmes
running silently in the background.

She eased into the chin-ups with fifty swift two-handed ones. Dropping to the floor,
she slid into the two feet holders, provided by the shaped metal bar, and did a rapid
fifty sit-ups. All the while her mind remained in neutral as she watched the images float
by on the large screen, and her body toned itself on auto pilot. Fifty excruciatingly slow
chin-ups, followed by fifty slow sit-ups. On and on it went, as Teri pushed her body
harder and harder, switching motions as the mood took her. Sometimes single handed,
sometimes with added twists and turns.

So superbly fit was she that it took longer and longer to reach any sort of pain
barrier, but that didn't matter. She wasn't going anywhere and had nothing else she'd
rather be doing.

A sheen of sweat enveloped her body as her breathing became slightly ragged, but still
she pressed on, and would have continued for several hundred more repetitions had not
something extraordinary and completely unexpected happened. Her door-bell rang.

Somewhat shocked, Terri reached for the TV's remote and pressed a button. CNN was
instantly replaced with a large fish-eyed image of a young woman standing expectantly at
her front door. More inexplicable was that it wasn't someone that Terri recognised --
though, now that she looked more closely, the woman did look familiar for some reason. Her
private address was a well-guarded secret, so no one should be here that she didn't know
personally, and she really didn't know that many people.

Frowning, she unhooked her feet from the floor loops and walked to the door. She
pressed the intercom button. "Yes?"

She watched the woman jump at the unexpected voice. The woman looked around startled,
finally noticing the speaker in the door frame. Hesitantly the woman leant forward and
spoke into the speaker.

"Ms... Ms Farmer?"

"What do you want?"

"I'd like to talk to Ms Farmer... please, Ma'am." The distinctive burr of an
American accent came through the intercom.

"What if she doesn't want to talk to you?"

The woman frowned and stepped back, a look of surprise, quickly followed by anger, on
her face. For some reason it made Terri smile. Cute indignation suited the strange blonde
standing outside her front door, she decided. Sighing, she reached a decision and flung
back the door, startling the woman once again.

"I'm sort of busy at the moment, what is it that you want?"

The blonde woman simply stood and stared at the apparition in front of her, her mouth
hanging open in astonishment. It was as if a Greek goddess had suddenly materialised in
front of her. Terri leaned forward and snapped her fingers in front of the woman's face.

"Hey! Whad'ya doing?" the blonde reacted, her mental processes kicking back
into action.

"Look, love, I'm sweaty, hungry and pumping," she said, turning her arm over
and presenting it to the blonde "And I don't really want to be standing out here
talking to you. If you've got something to say to me, then say it so we can both get on
with our lives, okay?"

The woman peered at the proffered arm and gulped. Clearly, watching blood pulse and
pump in Terri's veins and arteries in quite such an alarming manner was not something she
wanted to be really looking at, but, like a car crash, was apparently something she
couldn't look away from.

"Man, that's gross." Her nose wrinkled in disgust. "What the hell are
doing to your... self?" she said, looking up into piercing blue eyes that simply
stole her voice once more.

"Oh for god's sake, I'm exercising, what does it look like?"

"Eeeww... does it hurt?"

Terri frowned at the unexpected question. "Does what hurt?"

"All that blood shooting around."

Terri looked at her arm, slightly puzzled, as if noticing the excessive bloodflow for
the first time. "Er, no... it always does that when you exercise really hard."

"Wow." was all the blonde said for a moment. "I've been going to the gym
all my life and I've never seen that before, on anyone."

"Yeah, well... maybe they don't push quite as hard as I do." Terri almost
grinned, but managed to stop herself. She could feel the pumping slowing down, returning
to normal, the veins sinking back to just below the surface. It would take another long
time to get them back up. She sighed. "What is it you want, Miss..."

"Nikkoletta Takis, but everyone calls me Nikki," the blonde said, holding out
her hand. Terri wiped her hand on her shorts and grudgingly accepted the proffered hand.
Nikki gave her a surprisingly firm handshake.

"What can I do for you, Miss Takis?"

"I'd like to hire you to be my bodyguard for a short while."

"I'm a private detective, not a bodyguard. And how did you find my home address,
by the way?"

"You're kinda direct, ain't you?"

"So I've been told, and you didn't answer my question."

"Oh, right. Er, well, I kinda had my dad's people do some checking up on you.
You're not easy to track down, that's for sure." Her beaming smile, along with her
bubbly character, was infectious and Terri found herself giving into the grin after all.

Terri noted the young woman's expensive clothing, the mental wheels turning in their
usual precise fashion. The name Takis and money made a quick connection. "Let me
guess, Dad wouldn't be Alexander Takis, Greek shipping magnate, by any chance?"

"Sorry, don't drink. Water, milk, or there might be some tea, that's about all I
can offer."

"Not even coffee?"

Terri shook her head. "Don't care for it."

"And you don't have guests who might?"

"Nope."

"I see. Well, tea would be nice."

"Figures." Terri gave her a sour look, and padded off to the kitchen. Nikki
looked around the apartment, noting the expensive but minimal furnishings. She sat down on
the large leather settee to wait for her drink. Terri eventually returned with a mug with
a picture of Buffy The Vampire Slayer on the side and handed it to Nikki.

"Nice... mug."

"Thanks," Terri said, sitting on one of the low tables, opposite the couch
Nikki was sitting on. "Now, what is it you want?" she asked her visitor.

"What makes... I mean who... why would you think that?" She gulped a mouthful
of water from her bottle quickly.

"You mean you're interested now?"

"Maybe," Terri replied, wiping the back of her hand across her mouth.
Something about Nikki was keeping her flat-footed and off balance. It wasn't a feeling she
cared for. Here she was, not only letting a perfect stranger into her own home, but even
seriously considering putting all her other clients on hold to come to the stranger's aid.
And for the life of her she couldn't work out why. "So, why me, why not one of your
dad's people?"

"I... I don't trust any of them. They might be involved. And the other night, when
I saw what you could do, well, it didn't take much to realise I'd found what I was looking
for."

"You saw me?"

"Yeah, taking out those three big butch types in the club, like they were nothing,
nothing at all. Wow, that was so cool!"

Terri frowned a moment. "You were at the gay bar?"

"Sure. Whenever I'm in London I often as not end up there, see a few old friends,
have drink, relax a little."

With her brain still not quite up to speed, Terri blundered on. "So, were you
visiting, or are you erm... uh, erm..."

"Lesbian, that the word you're looking for?"

"Erm, yeah, I guess so," Terri said, slightly sheepishly.

"What if I am?"

"Nothing. Just a bit surprised is all."

"Why, do I have 'hetero' stamped on my forehead or something?" Nikki's mood
had changed like the flick of a switch. Gone was the cheerful good nature, to be replaced
by brittle antagonism and narrowed eyes.

"Hey, back up a little, will ya," said Terri, holding up her arms in
surrender. "Look, I'm sorry, okay. If I've offended you then I apologise. It wasn't
intended, and to answer your question, no, it doesn't bother me, nor is it really any of
my concern."

Nikki's grimace remained for a few moments, then relaxed back into the happy mood of
before. "I'm sorry too, guess I jumped in with both feet there for a minute. It's
just that sometimes I get so sick of it all. The prejudice, I mean, especially from other
women."

"S'okay, I understand. Really I do, I get enough crap myself. Not a suitable job
for a woman, don't you know," Terri said, attempting a small, and for her, friendly
smile.

"I doubt you suffer crap from anyone," Nikki said with a grin.

"You'd be surprised."

They stared at each other for a moment, assessing what each had said. Terri blinked and
looked away, breaking the connection.

Clearing her throat, she said "You didn't answer my question."

"Yes I did," Nikki replied, her eyes twinkling. "I am a lesbian."

"No... I er... mean why do you think someone wants to hurt you?" Terri said,
realising too late that Nikki was teasing her. She blushed faintly, quickly looking out
the window to try and hide it.

"Anyone ever tell you how pretty you look when you blush?"

"Er... no," said Terri, blushing even more.

"Hey, it's all right, I was only joking with ya," Nikki said, reaching out to
touch Terri's arm.

Terri coiled back as if stung, her eyes blazing. She rounded on Nikki in an instinctive
defence posture. Nikki couldn't help yelping as she too stepped back in surprise, so fast
had Terri moved, and so suddenly had she changed her whole body language to one of quite
terrifying aggression.

"Whoa there, Tiger, I meant nothing by it," she stammered. "Hey, the
little ol' lesbian won't be touching you no more," she said, holding up her hands as
if to prove her point.

Terri blinked, her whole body rigid with controlled tension. She slowly relaxed and
dropped her raised hands, then stooped to picked up the thankfully nearly empty plastic
bottle she'd dropped when her natural defences took over.

Nikki looked into Terri's expressionless eyes for a moment, then scowled.
"Fine!" and with that abruptly left, slamming the apartment door as she went.

"Well, that went well, I thought," Terri said gloomily, to an empty room,
unaccountably angry with herself. The apartment suddenly seemed empty of life now that the
tempestuous Ms Takis had left. She sighed loudly, rubbed her eyes and sank down onto the
leather couch, leaning her head back and keeping her eyes firmly closed. For the first
time in a long time it dawned on her just how lifeless her so-called home really was.

Having sat motionless for more than ten minutes Terri finally summoned up the effort to
raise herself from the settee and set about putting the exercise bars away for another
day. As she was closing the wardrobe a gentle knock came from her front door. It couldn't
be, she decided and ignored it. But it came again, this time even more gently if that was
possible.

"What is this, Piccadilly Circus?" she scowled. Marching to the door she
flung it open, ready to explain just precisely why it was such a bad idea to be knocking
on her door, but her words were abruptly held in check. Nikki stood there, her eyes nearly
closed, gently swaying as if about to collapse. Her skin was ashen, draining the colour
from her normal California tan.

"Would you be kind enough to call me an ambulance, I seem to... have had...
something of an accident." Her eyes rolled up as she collapsed soundlessly to the
floor. Which she would have hit quite hard had Terri not caught her. Only then did Terri
see the trail of blood down the corridor and feel her hands getting wet. Peering over
Nikki's slumped shoulder she could see her immaculately tailored suit had been sliced open
from shoulder blade to buttock, revealing an equally sliced back. Nikki's blood was
draining away at an alarming rate and pooling at their feet. Taking a quick look each way
down the corridor Terri effortlessly lifted the stricken blonde into her arms, carrying
her back inside. She kicked the door shut with her foot, taking Nikki into her bedroom and
carefully laying her face down on the bed.

Tearing open Nikki's clothes Terri examined the wound. It was flesh deep, but not deep
enough to kill directly. 'Probably caused by a Stanley knife or scalpel' her
analytical mind decided without really thinking about it. Even though the cut probably
wouldn't kill, the heavy blood loss might. Grabbing the phone by her bed she dialled 999,
explaining in a succinct and efficient manner the problem. In moments an ambulance was on
its way, along with a police car.

Terri ran to the bathroom and back, collecting some towels. She pressed them to the
wound, trying to apply pressure along the length of the cut, but it wasn't easy. All she
could do now was wait for the cavalry to arrive. 'Well,' she thought 'looks like
I might be back on the case. And it sure beats spying on wives or searching for runaway
heirs.'

Part Two

It took a while for them all to get into the ambulance, due mostly to Nikki's death
grip on Terri's hand, which despite all requests Nikki refused to give up. She had come to
just as the ambulance crew were attempting to move her to a stretcher. The police had
arrived at the same time and were trying to question Terri.

Seeing Nikki's eyes open, Terri knelt down next to her, telling her that she'd soon be
in hospital and everything was going to be all right. As she went to brush the blonde's
hair from her eyes Nikki's hand shot out, grabbing Terri's wrist. Terri's usual defences
were overridden by a sudden willingness to allow the woman to grab her. Terri could have
prised her hand off but inexplicably she decided she didn't want to.

"I guess I'm hired again?" she said softly. Nikki didn't speak, just nodded
her head in confirmation.

"It's okay, Nikki, you're in safe hands now. These men will take you to hospital
and get you patched up, good as new." She smiled reassuringly at the injured woman.
Or at least she hoped it was a reassuring smile. She didn't have that much experience in
these matters, she was the first to admit.

"D... don't feel so... good."

"I know, but if you let go of my hand we'll soon have you fixed up."

Nikki shook her head violently, steadfastly refusing to do any such thing. Terri looked
up at the two ambulance men and shrugged. "Looks like we all go together."

"Looks like," the oldest one said, grinning back at her.

"We haven't finished with our questions," said one of the police officers, a
young WPC who looked all of twelve years old to Terri. 'God, I'm getting old,' she
thought glumly.

"You can follow us to the hospital. I'll answer any questions I can there."

The policewoman looked over to her older male partner. He nodded, putting away his
notebook, and spoke into his shoulder mounted radio, updating the dispatcher on the
situation and advising them to contact the hospital. 'Amazing how doors open if you're
the daughter of a billionaire,' Terri thought with mild distaste.

* * *

The siren wailed mournfully as they set off. Terri spoke softly to Nikki, hoping that
her words were giving some sort of comfort, as the paramedic applied butterfly tapes along
the length of Nikki's wound. The ambulance lurched and rocked as it sped on its way to the
hospital, making it difficult for the medic to insert a needle for a saline drip.

"Not long now," Terri said, but Nikki had slipped back into unconsciousness,
finally allowing Terri to remove her hand.

"Here, give me that," Terri said, deftly grabbing the needle from the
fumbling medic. Without any hesitation she neatly slid the needle into a vein, taped it
off, attached the tube and opened the valve. She sat back as if it was an entirely normal,
everyday occurrence.

"You a doctor?" asked the astonished man.

"Nope."

"Then h --"

"Military training."

"Oh... right." He paused a moment. "You won't tell anyone, will
you?"

"About what?"

"About my not being able to... well, you know," he said pointing to the
saline.

"Nope."

He relaxed. "She'll be okay, you know. It looks bad, but it's not deep."

"I know," she said, not looking up.

"Friend of yours?"

"Not really."

"Not one for chit-chat, huh?"

"Nope."

They sat in silence for the rest of the journey.

The door of the ambulance opened and a team climbed in, grabbing Nikki's stretcher and
taking her swiftly into the hospital. Terri checked her watch. From the time of Nikki's
second appearance on her doorstep to their arrival at the hospital had taken just over
twenty-seven minutes. 'Not too bad, I guess,' she thought. 'Though I wonder how
many of us would get a police escort?'

* * *

Queues and harried, over-stretched doctors were not for Nikki. She was escorted past
the general confusion of the emergency room and on to a private lift that whisked them up
to an upper floor. She was met by several nurses and two doctors, who immediately set to
work on her. Private health care certainly had its advantages.

No one seemed to question that Terri should accompany Nikki to the surgery, though she
made sure to keep out of everyone's way. Once it was known that she was Nikki's private
bodyguard no one bothered her. She watched as one of the doctors made small, fine stitches
in Nikki's back. 'Scars were obviously not meant for the rich and famous,' she
smiled to herself. 'Doubt anyone will treat me quite so kindly.'

Finally all the work was done and Nikki was wheeled to a private room, where a nurse
carefully changed her into a hospital sleeping gown.

"Guess you'll be wanting to stay?" she asked Terri.

"Uh-huh."

"Would you like a tea or coffee? It'll be awhile before sleeping beauty here wakes
up."

"Tea, no sugar, please. Oh, and could you get the police officer something?"

"Sure."

The WPC had been left behind on guard duty until an officer from the VIP protection
branch could get there. She obviously wasn't very happy about it, sitting stiff-backed on
a seat outside Nikki's room, scowling at anyone who came near.

Terri had answered all their questions, which hadn't taken long as she had little to
tell them, knowing nothing of the circumstances of the attack, save it happened somewhere
close to her flat. They obviously didn't believe her, apparently convinced that she was
holding back information despite her best efforts to convince them she really didn't know
anything about it, having only started on the case as they arrived.

Terri sat sipping her tea, watching her new employer sleep her drug-induced sleep. The
WPC had been relieved shortly after midnight. The replacement wasn't wearing a uniform but
Terri recognised the unmistakable look of a police officer. They conferred outside, beyond
Terri's hearing, as she watched them through the half-glass partition. The WPC nodded
towards Terri, frowning as she did so. The plain-clothes woman just nodded, tight-lipped.
It was obvious Terri wasn't particularly welcome. It was going to be a long night.

* * *

"Still here, love?" asked the nurse softly, having returned for the morning
shift.

"Looks that way," said Terri, sleepily. She'd only managed a few catnaps,
sitting in the armchair next to the bed.

"She not stirred yet?"

"Still sleeping the sleep of the just."

"What does she like for breakfast?"

Terri raised an eyebrow. "I never got a chance to ask," she finally said.

"I'll order her a standard English."

"Maybe you should wait and ask her directly, she's a Greek American or an American
Greek, I'm not really sure."

"Oh, so it's a bowl of Cornflakes and a cup of coffee, then."

Terri just shrugged. "I expect she'll let you know when she wakes up." The
nurse moved off to instruct an orderly hovering outside.

As the orderly left two men arrived, approaching the police officer on duty outside the
door. She asked them for identification, seemed satisfied and allowed them in the room.
One man was small and dark, the other well over six feet tall and extremely muscular.
Terri moved to intercept them.

"Who are you, and what do you want with my client?"

The smaller man looked at her liked she'd crawled out from under a stone. "None of
your business. Carl, get her out of here, then stay outside while I have a word with my
little sister, here."

The large man placed a hand on Terri's shoulder. "Excuse me, darlin', if you'd
care to come--" He didn't get much further as Terri pulled his hand from her
shoulder, twisted under his outstretched arm and bent it up his back. Grasping his hair,
she pulled his head back and kicked his legs out from under him.

"I asked you nicely, who are you and what do you want with my client?" Carl
made no attempt to struggle, the tendons of his bent arm screaming for release. It would
only take the slightest touch to snap bone. He didn't know who the hell the woman was, but
she certainly wasn't joking.

The short man simply stared open-mouthed in astonishment. "Carl?" he said.

"Let go of him, this... this is an outrage!" the small man spluttered.

"It's all right, Ms Farmer, you can let Carl up. This is Christos, my brother.
Carl's his bodyguard," said a quiet voice from the bed. Nikki slowly sat upright,
wincing as she did so. "Christ, I feel like crap," she groaned. Terri
immediately dropped Carl to the floor, moving to Nikki's side.

"You sure we can trust either of these two?" she asked, automatically taking
Nikki's hand as she spoke.

Nikki looked up through wincing eyes. "He's a prick, but at least he's family. As
for Carl, well he just does as he's told, don't you, Carl?"

"We need to talk, Nikkoletta, just you and me. Can we make a truce and call off
our dogs, please?" Christos asked his sister.

"Please... now there's a change of attitude. Funny what a bit of muscle can do for
your manners," Nikki sneered.

"Want me to chuck 'em out?" asked Terri, not taking her eyes of either of the
men.

"No, that won't be necessary, Ms Farmer. Would you mind waiting outside with Carl
for a moment, we won't be long, I promise," said Nikki, smiling disarmingly at Terri.

"Er, sure, if that's what you want... Boss."

"Boss, now I like that," Nikki grinned, then winced again, closing her eyes.

Returning Nikki's squeeze briefly she turned to leave, only to be met by Carl, now
standing over her, glowering.

"You got away with this one because I wasn't expecting it," he said, jabbing
Terri in the chest with indignant thrusts of his finger, "but be warned, it won't
happen ag--"

For the second time Carl found himself spun around with his arm up his back, but this
time a hand had grabbed his nose and was twisting it painfully, forcing his head back onto
Terri's shoulder.

"Come on, Caaaarl," she said, drawing out his name, "lets go find some
breakfast and leave brother and sister to their touching family reunion."

"Stob, stob, you're bwaking by doze," he whined pathetically, as Terri pushed
him towards the door.

"I'll be right outside if you need me, Boss," Terri said to Nikki.

"Roger that," Nikki smiled. Christos could only shake his head in disgust as
the two bodyguards left the room.

"Nice moves," said the police-woman, as they passed by her chair in the
hallway.

"Thanks," replied Terri, the merest flicker of a smile on her impassive face.

* * *

"Okay, I'll admit you've got some moves on you, but you were lucky, I could've
taken you."

Terri turned to look at Carl. He was almost pouting with indignation as he nursed his
coffee and bruised ego. "Carl, you're probably a good bodyguard, and you do your job.
I respect that. Just don't get in my way and we'll get along fine. We are supposed to be
on the same side, you know."

"Yeah, I know, but--" Terri abruptly held up her hand for silence, which
caused Carl to flinch and instantly shut up. Terri frowned, touching her other hand to her
ear. "Son of a bitch!" she growled, leaping to her feet. "You, stay
here," she said pointing her finger directly into Carl's face. He flinched again and
nodded in agreement. She ran back up the corridor to Nikki's room, easily dodging past the
startled police-woman. She threw open the door, surprising Christos who was standing
menacingly over Nikki, holding her roughly by the arm. Nikki groaned from the twisting of
her back, trying her best to shrug him off.

Faster than Christos thought humanly possible Terri was across the room holding him by
the throat up against the back wall, his feet dangling off the ground. "Jesus, what's
the matter with you, she's just been stitched back together, and you're bullying
her?"

Christos tried to speak but found it impossible with his throat closed off by Terri's
ferocious grip.

"Okay, Miss Farmer, you can put him down now." The police officer had drawn
her revolver, but held it pointing at the floor. "I am trained to use this if I think
lethal force is required. And right now I'd say you're putting his life in danger."

"Now wait a friggin' minute here," Christos gasped, still on his hands and
knees.

"Do you understand me?" Terri repeated, glaring at the bodyguard.

Carl nodded. "I understand," he replied stiffly.

"Good, then get him out of here. Now!" He pulled his boss to his feet and
lead him unprotesting out the room.

"You can put that away," Terri said turning to the police-woman. The woman
considered her options for a moment. She took a deep breath, putting the gun back in its
holster.

"Didn't see a thing," she said, pulling the door shut quietly behind her and
resuming her seat in the hallway.

"How... how did you know?" asked Nikki.

"That your brother was misbehaving himself?" Terri finished for her.

Nikki nodded.

"If I told you I'd have to kill you."

"What!" Nikki gasped. Terri was immediately by her side, taking hold of her
hand.

"Sorry, Nikki, that was stupid of me. Just a bad joke."

Nikki relaxed slightly, not least of all because Terri's firm but gentle grip really
felt good.

"You didn't answer my question, Ms Farmer," Nikki said, almost shyly.

"If you're going to pay me obscene amounts of money to do this, it's your
privilege to call me what you like, but I do prefer just Farmer. Especially from my
friends," she added, almost getting tongue-tied herself, wondering where the hell
that last bit had come from.

"Okay... Farmer," Nikki said smiling. "How did you know?"

"Oh that's simple, I bugged the room," she said, pulling a small radio
receiver from her left ear and holding it out for Nikki to see.

"You bugged my room?" Nikki's eyebrows shot up to her hair-line.

"Sure, you can never be too careful on jobs like this." Terri shrugged,
putting the receiver back in her ear. "The bug's over there on the corner of the
bed."

"I can't believe you did that."

"Good job I did, I reckon, don't you?"

"I guess so. But I'd prefer to know up front if you're gonna do something like
that again in the future."

"I'll try and remember that," Terri said, grinning impishly.

They stared into each other's eyes longer than either felt entirely comfortable with
but thankfully -- for Terri at least -- they were saved by a doctor strolling into the
room, a clipboard in his hand.

"Congratulations, Ms Takis, you're going to be a mother of a beautiful baby girl,
just like her mum!" he exclaimed.

"Well," the doctor coughed, "let's see about getting you discharged. I'm
sure the police officer outside would like to go home too."

"Is she really fit enough to leave?" Terri asked the doctor.

"Yes, of course, nice fit young girl like Ms Takis. Shrug this off in no time.
Just take it easy, you've lost a lot of blood. Call back in a week's time or see your GP
to get the stitches removed. There should be very little scarring. Top man with the
stitches, young Fowler. Taught him all he knows, you know," the doctor said, beaming
cheerily.

"Woman."

"I beg your pardon?"

"She's a woman, not a girl." Terri held him with a steady gaze.

"Yes, yes of course, my mistake. My apologies, Ms Takis," he said, bowing
slightly to Nikki. He hurriedly left the room, muttering something about other patients.

"Wow, you really take this defending job to heart, dont'ya?" Nikki said,
smiling at Terri.

"Yup."

"Wish I'd hired you a half-hour earlier."

"Might have saved some bother."

"You don't like idle chatter much, do ya?"

"So I've been told."

* * *

Terri had organised some clothes to be brought in for Nikki, to replace the ones
damaged in the attack. Nikki managed to walk to the waiting taxi, after the hospital had
insisted she travel from her bed to the outside world in a wheelchair. Walking stiffly to
the cab she decided that the wheelchair hadn't been such a bad idea after all.

"How you doing?"

"Just fine, apart from everything hurts, and I feel like I've spilt all my
stitches," Nikki grumped from the back seat of the cab.

"Nah, takes a lot to split stitches, I know that from personal experience."

"Yeah, I bet you do." Nikki said sullenly. Terri just grinned. The journey to
Terri's apartment took a lot longer than their trip in the ambulance had. By the time they
arrived Nikki was in a deal of pain. Her colour had drained, leaving her pallid and
sweating.

"Do you think you could..."

"Sure," said Terri, taking Nikki's arm over her shoulder and helping her up
the many flights of steps to her flat.

"You sure this is where you want to recuperate? Isn't there somewhere else you'd
find more comfortable?"

"We've already talked about this, Farmer, this is where I'd feel safest for the
time being. When I'm feeling a hundred percent again I'll reconsider my options."

Terri unlocked the front door and let them both in. She half-carried Nikki over to the
sofa and set her down gently. Nikki winced mightily as she carefully lowered her tender
back to the cool leather.

"Want a drink or anything? How about some aspirin or something?"

"Glass of water and some painkillers would be nice right about now." Terri
soon returned with the asked for items.

"Bed and board will be extra, you know. It's way beyond what I normally get
involved with."

Nikki looked at Terri to see if she was joking. 'Apparently not,' she decided.

"Not a problem, Farmer, my pockets are deep and my arms long."

"Sounds a useful trait to have."

"It sure has been, I have to say."

"Must've been nice growing up with so much money."

Nikki shrugged. "Wasn't all peaches and cream. What with mom and dad divorcing,
and us moving back to the States."

"Us?"

"Yeah, me and Mom. She got homesick and decided she didn't like being a lonely
Greek housewife no more. Took me with her too. 'Course, I was too young to appreciate how
much it broke my dad's heart, but he got to keep Christos, so he couldn't complain too
much."

"Seems a bit heartless, splitting up a brother and sister like that."

"Aw hell, we've never really gotten along. I never gave it a second thought. Still
don't, as you've seen for yourself."

"So, would now be a good time to talk about what happened? I know you gave a
statement to the police, but I'd like to hear it for myself, just you and me. Or would you
rather talk about why Christos threatened to shut you up permanently, or why your
estranged dad is willing to have you step into his shoes rather than have his own sweet
boy take over the reins of one of the biggest shipping companies in the world?"

"It's kinda complicated... the family situation, that is. Maybe we should stick to
solving street crime, for the time being?"

"Whatever, I'm easy. I've got loads of time on my hands at the moment. I've
recently got this great new boss who pays me lots to do whatever she wants me to do."

"Anything?" Nikki said, grinning.

"Almost anything."

"Where do you draw the line?"

"You really wanna know Farmer's Rules?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Okay, well, I won't kill anyone, unless they deserve it. I won't steal anything
unless I really need it, and I won't stand by and see innocents hurt, especially kids.
That's about it, really, apart from I never break my rules unless I have to. Oh, and I
don't work for free."

"Nice to know you have such a rigid code of ethics, Farmer."

"It helps to get by."

"I'll bet."

"Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?" asked Terri

Part Three

"So, you're telling me that when you said someone wanted to hurt you, you didn't
mean it literally?"

"Well, no, not really," shrugged Nikki.

"The razor attack was coincidental?"

"Yeah, I guess."

Terri closed her eyes and rubbed them. "Okay, then tell me what happened, out on
the street, I mean."

"Like I told the cops, I don't really have much to tell you. I was going to my
rental, I'd parked it on the street 'bout fifty yards down the road. I wasn't really
expecting anything bad to happen. I mean, to tell you the truth I was pretty pissed
off."

"Oh... what at?"

"Well, you actually," Nikki said grinning, slightly embarrassed at the
admission.

"Me?"

"Yeah, you an' your 'don't touch me' routine."

Terri sighed. "I told you then, and I'm telling you now, it was nothing personal.
You just surprised me is all."

"Yeah, well, whatever. That's the reason I wasn't taking much notice of anything
going on around me. I mean, this is London for chrissakes, not LA. You get kinda blasť
about wandering around in the evening here. I never felt threatened before."

Terri snorted. "Remind me to show you round some of the less scenic areas of our
fair city. Then maybe you'd be a bit more careful."

"Yes, Mom."

Terri ignored the remark, her expression as impassive as ever. "What do you
remember?"

"Well, there was some people a group of them, kids mostly, I didn't really look.
They passed me by coming in the other direction. I got about another ten yards when I felt
something hit me in the back. They pushed me over the hood of a parked car. I was so
surprised I just lay there wondering what the hell happened. When I eventually looked up
there wasn't anyone around. I knew something was wrong as soon as I tried to stand
up."

"Your back?" Terri prompted.

"Yeah, white hot pain all down my back. I stumbled back around and sat against the
car. That's when I saw the blood running down the hood and dripping down onto the fender.
Made a funny splashing noise. I was mesmerised for a moment, till I realised it was my
blood."

Nikki looked up, frowning. "You know, I've tried to remember, but I'm damned if I
can. Next thing I remember is you and the ambulance. Thanks for holding my hand and not
letting go, Farmer, you kept me strong. I felt so protected."

Terri coughed and looked at the floor. "Didn't quite happen like that,
Nikki," Terri said quietly.

"Sure it did." Terri looked up at Nikki's smiling face and didn't have the
heart to contradict her.

"So, you never saw who actually did it?" she asked, changing back to the
subject at hand.

"Nah, don't even know if it was one of those kids. Could've been anybody
really."

"No attempt at stealing anything from you, money, jewellery, purse?"

"Nope, just wham bam, thank you Ma'am, let's see what your ribs look like. Then
phhtt, skeddadle, gone. Sorta weird, now I come to think on it."

"Yup, it is pretty weird. I'll have a word with some friends on the force, see
what they've got to say."

"Wow, we gonna find out who done it, an' more importantly, why?"

"You want me to?"

"Sure," said Nikki, grinning happily. Terri couldn't help grinning back at
the infectious smile.

"You realise this will be a separate case from what you originally contacted me
for."

"What if they're related?"

"You tell me, you've yet to tell me what was it you wanted in the first
place."

Nikki frowned, pursing her lips. She remained quiet for a moment, apparently trying to
decide if she should say anything or not. "You know I told you my dad was a shipping
tycoon an' all, well that's true, he is. But I don't live with him and haven't since I was
a kid."

"Go on," prompted Terri.

"Well, I know Dad gives Mom and me more money each year than we can really spend
sensibly in a lifetime, but well, I wanted to be normal like my friends in high school, so
decided I had to get a job. That meant going to college, getting a degree, the whole
works. You know what I mean?"

"Not really, but please continue. I'm sure none of us would've wanted a life of
idle riches, really."

"You making fun of me?" Nikki said, but smiling enough to take the sting from
the words.

"Maybe."

"It's all right, my mom thought I was crazy too."

"Surely not?"

Nikki tilted her head to one side, regarding Terri. "Anyone ever tell you, you got
a very dry sense of humour?"

"Nope, never."

"Hmm, well, anyways, as I was saying, I got a business degree, summa cum laude and
all that. One thing lead to another and I... well, I ended up being a boat designer."

"Sure there is. I wouldn't know one end of a spoke shave from the other, let alone
how to use one."

"Well, you're one up on me, I don't even know what a spoke shave is."

"Oh, it's some sort of doohicky the carpenters use on wood, or something,"
said Nikki, frowning again. "Look, the point is, I work for a small family boat
building company, in their design department. Mostly CAD these days."

It was now Terri's turn to frown. "Fascinating though all this is, could you at
least point to why you came to me?"

"I'm getting to that. God, you're impatient, aren't you?"

"Blame my dad, I inherited his eager gene."

"Right," Nikki said grinning. "Anyway, back to my story. As I don't work
for the money, per se, and the family that owns the company are old family friends on my
mom's side, I sorta get an easy ride, if you know what I mean."

"Funny that."

Nikki ignored the comment and continued. "One of my jobs is to travel to all the
boat shows around the world and see what's new. Take photographs and, well, see if there's
any designs we might, er, like, adapt for our own."

"Is that strictly ethical?"

"Sure, everyone does it. Been going on since somebody first hollowed out a tree
and pushed it in the water."

"And here I was thinking that boat builders were above that kind of thing."

"Hah, I bet you've never even thought about any boat builders anywhere, ever, till
just this moment."

Terri smiled. "You could be right."

Nikki just shook her head. "You want me to finish this story?"

"Please continue, it's most... enthralling."

"Well, this is where it gets kind of embarrassing," she paused.

"Nothing goes beyond this room," said Terri, easily slipping into
professional mode.

"When I got back to my hotel room yesterday there was a package waiting for
me."

"Go on."

"It had some... some compromising pictures of me."

"What sort of pictures?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just me necking an' stuff. Pretty harmless really. You could
just view them as a girl's night out and not give them a second look."

"Was there a note to go with them?"

"Yeah, just said something about how embarrassing it would be if my employers were
to see these pictures."

"Would that matter?"

"They're kind of old fashioned. The note made it clear what was really going
on."

"No, I mean would it matter to you especially, I mean, you need the work?"

"Hell, yes! I worked goddamned hard to get where I am. I'm good at what I do, I
like my job and I sure as hell don't want to give it up for crap like this!" she
fumed.

"Nah, he wouldn't have anything to gain. So what if I lose my job? It hardly
matters in his great scheme to take over Dad's empire. Probably make it more likely I'd
want the job."

"But he thinks you're destined for that job. I heard him say so."

"My brother's a paranoid jerk. I can hardly see my dad not letting Christos take
over when the time comes. Why would he put me in charge over Christos?"

Terri shrugged. "Maybe he likes you more than him. Couldn't be that hard, from
what I've seen of your brother. He seemed quite easy to dislike. And besides, you've got a
fancy business degree and you know about boats."

"Hardly, we build rich people's toys. Ocean going luxury yachts that spend most of
their time down in the Keys or over in Cannes, not oil tankers or container ships."

"Okay, but what's Christos got that you haven't?"

"External plumbing for one thing. That counts for a lot in my dad's country,"
she said laughing.

"Yeah, there is that, I guess. You sure that's how your dad feels?"

"I dunno, like I said I don't really see him that much."

"Do you regret that?"

"Sure, he's my dad."

"Don't you ever try to contact him?"

"I used to, but when he was always in a meeting, or away on business, well, I kind
of gave up trying."

"I thought you said that you used your dad's people to track me down to my
home?"

"Oh, I did. He has offices all over the world. I get the red carpet treatment
whenever I announce myself. It's just I rarely get to see my dad himself."

"Never give up on your dad, Nikki. One day he may not be there to give up on
anymore." Nikki caught the unmistakable sadness in Terri's voice.

Terri shrugged. "Don't know enough to comment. Did you keep the pictures and the
note?"

"No, I tore them up and flushed them down the toilet in the hotel room."

"Pity."

"Why, would they have helped? It was just a printed note and some inkjet printed
pictures. Could've been done by anyone, anywhere."

"Probably, but if you get anymore let me see them first before you flush 'em,
okay?"

"If you insist, though I hope I don't get any more, to tell the truth."

"Where were they taken, any idea?"

"Here in London. At the club, actually."

"Kind of ironic you coming to me, really, then, isn't it?"

"Why?"

"What do you think I was doing there?"

"I... I don't know. I... thought..."

"What?"

"Doesn't matter."

"You thought I was there enjoying myself, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Sorry to disappoint, Nikki, but I was there doing the same sort of thing as our
friend was doing, whoever they are."

"You were spying on me?"

"Spying yes, on you, no."

"I see."

"You upset?"

"No, not really. Par for the course. Guess I should've known," she said
sullenly.

"Look Nikki, I like you, you're a bright, good-looking kid. And I'm more than
happy to try and get to the bottom of your troubles. But I've found it rarely helps a case
to let personal feelings cloud the issue. So if that's not what you came here for, then
perhaps you really should seek help elsewhere."

"You want me to leave?"

"I didn't say that. I said I'd be happy to work for you, find out who's trying to
blackmail you, who attacked you on the street and why, even act as your bodyguard while
you're in London, but that's about the extent of my ability to assist you."

Nikki nodded, her shoulders slumping slightly. "It's okay, Ms Farmer, I
understand. Still okay if I stay here tonight? I'm feeling tired, my back really hurts and
I just don't feel like going back to my hotel right now."

"Sure, it's your money. Feel free to spend it on me any way you want." Terri
said smiling.

* * *

Nikki woke, blurry-eyed and rumple-haired, puzzled as to where she was. It all came
back with a stabbing rush as she twisted her back slightly, sitting up. "Ow, ow, ow,
ow, owwwww!" she moaned, tentatively feeling along the plaster covering her stitches.
Pulling her hand back she was relieved to see no blood. The hurt and anger at Terri's firm
but polite slamming of any doors that she hoped might have opened between them came back
too. "Hah, screw her, Ms friggin' robot. Her loss!" she grumbled.

She staggered to the adjoining bathroom to be greeted with a floor to ceiling mirror.
She groaned and turned away from the unearthly vision staring back at her. "Okay, not
so much of a loss," she muttered, shaking her head morosely.

As she emerged from the bedroom, freshly scrubbed and wearing a sweat shirt several
sizes too big for her, she was welcomed by the smell of coffee. Terri sat at her desk,
studying her computer screen.

"Where did the coffee come from?" Nikki asked.

"Out of a little jar."

"That so, huh. Who'da thought?"

"Yeah, it's neat, you just twist off the lid and there it is."

"I thought you said you didn't have any coffee?"

"Didn't then. Do now."

"You went out and bought me coffee. I'm touched."

"Us robots got to be good for something," Terri said, still not looking up
from her screen.

Nikki swallowed. "You er... heard that, huh?" she said, blushing.

"Uh-huh."

"You got your guest room bugged too?" asked Nikki testily.

"Nope."

"Then how?"

"One of my many talents, I'm afraid. Not only have I got a cute backside, but I've
got acute hearing too," Terri said, not a little smugly.

'I wish,' thought Nikki, only just able to stop herself saying it out loud.
"And now?"

"Now I've reconnoitred and regrouped. Got the lay of the land."

"You always treat people like a military campaign?"

"Yes," said Terri, her expression clearly indicating she thought it was a
dumb question; 'doesn't everyone?'

"Now you think you know me?"

"There's a goodly chance."

"Hah, we'll see, Farmer, we'll see."

"I guess we will at that," replied Terri, smiling.

"So, you wanna start again with the explanation?"

"Oh, right. Well, it seems that there's been a spate of attacks on women in the
area over the last eight months or so. Nothing fatal so far, but not far off a couple of
times, and nasty with it. I correlated the police records with the reports from the local
evening paper; 'The Standard', by the way. It looks like we've got a looney-tunes on our
hands. Slightly different MO each time, but you and me both know the link that the police
don't," she finished with another insufferably smug grin.

"We do?"

"Sure. Recognise any of these?" Terri said, handing over some photocopy
prints of various women.

Nikki flipped through the pages. "Yes, yes I recognise at least three of them,
they all go to the... club. Jesus," she breathed heavily, as the implication hit her.

"Jesus indeed, though I doubt we're looking for a six foot, bearded Caucasian male
with a halo round his head, who's very light-footed, aquatically speaking."

Nikki looked up from the pictures at Terri. She started to say something but stopped.
Her shoulders slumped and she looked back down at the pictures, her eyes unexpectedly
watering.

Nikki looked up again, seeing the puzzled expression on Terri's face. "Oh, sorry,
it's the last line of an Aaron Neville song. Actually it's a Bob Dylan song but I like
Aaron's version better, you know..." she trailed away into silence, rubbing the back
of her hand across her wet cheek.

Terri got up and came over to Nikki, taking her hand and squatting down to match her
eyeline. "Are you okay?"

"Yes..." she paused. "No, I'm not all right, damnit! I came here for a
friggin' holiday and take in the boat show; take a few pictures and have some fun. Christ,
this is London, it's not supposed to have 'phobe fruitcakes runnin' around hurting people.
New York, Los Angeles even, but not London. It's just not meant to be like this. It's not
fair!"

"Nikki, sweetheart, we've got just as many fruitcakes as you have over there,
believe me. Remember we invented them, Jack the Ripper and all that. And you're right,
it's not fair. The human race has its defects, just the same as anything else in nature.
But we'll stop him or her, I promise," she said emphasising her last remark with a
squeeze of Nikki's hand.

"You think it might be a her?" asked Nikki, surprised.

"Can't rule anything out, Nikki. Not till we know more, at least."

Nikki was secretly pleased at Terri talking of 'we' all the time, and she sure liked
holding hands. The warmth and incredible strength she could feel just below the surface
were unlike anything she'd ever known in another woman.

She sniffed, composing herself. "Do we tell the cops?"

"I don't know yet. I'll see how it goes."

"Won't they be pissed at you? Can't you lose your license for withholding
evidence, or something like that?"

"Well, first it's not evidence, only speculation. I haven't been able to track
down all the women and confirm it. Not to mention that many of them might be reluctant to
admit to this particular connection. And second, private investigators don't need licenses
in the UK to operate, just an advert in the Yellow Pages will do it."

"You mean anyone can set themselves up as a private dick here, and no one will say
otherwise?" asked Nikki, taken by surprise at the information.

"Yep."

"Even me?"

"Even you. Though wouldn't you be happier building boats?"

"I told you, I don't build boats, I help design them, mostly interiors and
fittings, that sort of thing."

"And there I was thinking you were a hot-shot naval architect or something,"
Terri said, but smiling a dazzling, knock-'em-dead smile to show Nikki she was teasing.
She was getting much better at the smiling thing, Nikki thought.

Nikki's bottom lip crept back in as she smiled in return. "Thanks, Farmer."

"For what?"

"Snapping me out of my loathsome self-pity."

"Think nothing of it, all part of the service," she said, still smiling, and
still holding hands, Nikki was extremely pleased to note.

"How much extra will it cost?" she asked Terri.

"Oh, I'll work out the bill, don't you worry your pretty little head about
that."

"This is called reconnaissance, not peeping," said Terri, resuming her
watching.

"What, you're telling me you don't use those to peek into people's bedroom
windows, whenever you get the chance?"

"Only if I'm paid to."

"Figures, it's all down to money with you, isn't it?"

"And the chance to be as annoying as possible, don't forget that," added
Terri.

"How long we gonna do this for, anyway?" Nikki asked.

"Well, I pretty much thought as long as it takes would be about right."

"We could be here for days, weeks, months even. Tell me we're gonna take a few
hours off, here and there."

Putting down the binoculars, Terri turned to Nikki. "You're paying the bills.
Anytime you want to call it off, just say the word."

"No, no, I didn't mean that. What I meant was, shouldn't we get some help, or
something?"

Terri regarded her for a moment. "How about some coffee? There's a small cafe just
over there," she asked, ignoring Nikki's comment.

Nikki shrugged. "Sure, why not. I'm hungry too."

Terri pulled the car keys, putting them in her pocket. "Promise me you'll keep the
doors locked, the windows closed and the roof up. And don't even think about going
anywhere. I'll be watching all the time, you'll be safe."

"Yes, Mom."

"Good, I'll be back a few minutes." Terri got out and locked the doors,
slipped silently into the shadows and disappeared. Nikki picked up the binoculars and
scanned the area. Seeing nothing of interest she finally settled on the club's entrance,
watching a few women come and go. She snickered when she noticed the neck brace, black eye
and swollen lip of one of the door-keepers. "Hah, thought you could take on the
Farminator, huh?" she grinned to herself. "She'll be back," she intoned in
her best Austrian accent.

It occurred to her how comforting it felt having Farmer on her side. Since meeting her,
any fear she should by rights be experiencing had never surfaced. Sure, Farmer was a pain
in the ass with her 'off-limits' attitude and her deeply annoying habit of being goddamned
perfect and all. But, Nikki was first to admit, it sure beat not having her around.

The sudden release of the door locks made her jump. "Jesus, do you have to keep
sneaking up on people like that, you damn near made me pee myself!"

"S'okay, not my car," Terri said, gracefully sliding into the low-slung
leather seat and handing Nikki a polystyrene cup of coffee and a packet of Walkers
salt-and-vinegar crisps. "These are what's called crisps over here. You put them in
your mouth and crunch them."

"I know what you do with them," Nikki said, grabbing the crisps and scowling.
"We call them chips, which is a damn sight better use of the word than limp, soggy,
fried sticks of potato you call chips."

"Bet you still eat them though," replied Terri, picking up the binoculars.

"Well, enjoy them while you're young. Get to my age and the bastards seek out your
thighs with laser-guided precision."

"You're kidding me, right?"

"Would I kid you?"

Nikki snorted in contempt at such a question. "But you've got a body that's a
cross between a catwalk model and an Olympic athlete, with a bit of Arnie thrown in. I
don't see fat thighs from where I'm sitting."

"You haven't seen me spend the hours and hours required to stay this way."

Nikki was about to reply when Terri stiffened. She held her breath, waiting for Terri
to say something. Peering through the car's steamed-up windows, Nikki tried to make out
what was happening across the street.

"What's happening?" she whispered.

"Damn," Terri said softly.

"What, what is it, Farmer? Speak to me, say something... anything."

"You know you asked what were we looking for, and I said I didn't know but I'd let
you know when I saw it. Well, I think I just saw it."

"What is it?"

"Someone I recognised going into the club. Someone I didn't expect to see going in
there."

"Who?"

"An old colleague. Well, not so old, and we really only worked together for a year
or so."

"For God's sake, will you tell me who?" demanded Nikki.

"Her name's Rachel Downs, she's a policewoman. I liked her, she was -- is -- a
good copper. Trouble is, I always got the feeling she was never really that fond of
gays."

"Not everyone does, or hadn't that escaped your... " She paused. "Oh, I
see what you mean."

"Not good, huh?"

"You think that... maybe... she's the one doing this?"

"I'd like to think not, but it would explain some things."

"Such as?"

"Such as why the police haven't made such an obvious connection to the club in
over eight months. Why the attacker seems to know exactly what they're doing and never
gets seen by anyone. And why none of them seem that interested in solving any of
this."

"Jesus, a cop. That's sick."

"Well, it's not healthy, I'll give you that."

"So, assuming it is her doing this, are you gonna go in there and arrest
her?"

"Hardly."

"Why not?" Nikki demanded indignantly.

"There's a little matter of the burden of proof. Or the fact that she might be
undercover. Not to mention they probably wouldn't let me past the front door. For some
reason my natural good charm and charisma isn't likely to work on them at the
moment."

"Well, I am the boss... aren't I?" she asked, not sure if she should smile or
not.

Terri resumed watching the club, not saying a word.

"Fine, then I'll go and find out if she's one of the good guys or bad
guys." Nikki tried to open the door, but a cast iron grip snagged her arm.

"You're not going anywhere where I can't see you."

"Damn it, Farmer, let go of me," she snapped, tugging at the immovable hand
holding her. Terri abruptly released her, causing Nikki to lurch over, banging her head on
the window.

"Ow... what the hell did you do that for?" Nikki grimaced, rubbing the side
of her head.

"You asked so politely, how could I refuse?" said Terri, smiling.

"It's not funny."

Terri's smile vanished. "No, it's not. That's why you're not going charging in
there, on your own, making wild accusations at an off-duty policewoman. Rich and spoiled
you may be, but magistrates still take a pretty dim view of such things. You'd be lucky to
get off with just being put on the first plane home."

"Damn it, we've got to do something. We can't just sit here and watch her to
death."

"What do you propose, a lynch mob; should we string her up?"

"No, not really. Not that she wouldn't deserve it, sick bitch."

"Good, because the other thing that really pisses judges off is vigilantism. And
we also have this little quirk about being innocent until proven guilty to worry
about."

"Hah, this from Ms Jacqui Chan. Tell that to those three in there you beat the
crap out of the other night."

"Those three wouldn't have the courage to go to the police and lose face. They
know it, and I know it. Listen, we will do whatever it takes to put a stop to this. If and
when that requires going beyond the law, then we'll do it when I say, and how I say, and
not before. Is that clear?"

Nikki shrugged, mumbling an affirmative. They sat in silence, each wrapped in their own
thoughts.

"How's the head?" Terri finally asked.

"Hurts."

"Head-butting cars can do that."

"Yeah, laugh it up, Farmer."

"I'm not laughing, can't you tell this is not my happy face?"

Nikki turned to Terri, catching the playful glint in her eye. She couldn't help but
grin back. "I can be pretty stupid sometimes, can't I?"

"You're young, you've not had a chance to work the stupids out of your system
yet."

"Thanks a bunch, you're not supposed to agree with me quite so readily when I'm
being contrite."

"Well, if it's any consolation, even though you might not win at Mastermind for a
while yet, at least you're pretty."

Nikki's smile spread across her face. She sat back in her seat beaming.

'Doesn't take much,' thought Terri, smiling to herself.

* * *

It was well past midnight; the flow of women entering the club had dwindled to a few
stragglers.

"What now?" asked a sleepy Nikki, waking from one of her cat-naps. Terri
continued her observation of the entrance with her binoculars. A position that hadn't
altered much in over four hours.

"We wait. They're a private club, they can stay open all night if they want
to."

"This is so dull," said Nikki, yawning loudly.

"But necessary."

"You gonna do this every night? 'Cause I have to tell ya, I've been on better
dates with boys than this."

"This isn't a date."

"You're telling me it's not."

"We can stay at my place tomorrow, if you'd prefer."

Nikki was about to reply when Terri abruptly sat upright. She rubbed the window and
peered across the street. An ambulance had pulled up in front of the club.

"Crap, I wish she wouldn't do that!" Nikki growled. She watched through the
binoculars as Terri approached the ambulance and spoke to the driver. A few moments later
she was on her way back, her face an angry mask.

"What's happening?" Nikki asked as soon as Terri got in the car.

"Seems our friend is still one jump ahead of us, changed their MO again. Somebody
had some industrial cleaner slipped into her drink. It's bad; they don't know if she'll
make it. Severe burns to the mouth and throat." Terri answered angrily.

"How's that possible, wouldn't she have smelled it before she drank it?"

"No, it's a damn drain cleaner marketed for its lack of smell. Don't suppose they
ever tested its taste," Terri said bitterly.

"Hey, it's not your fault, you couldn't have known that they'd attack someone in
the club itself."

"No, I guess not. At least that means either our friend is getting impatient and
wants to be caught, or else they're getting sloppy and we'll get them anyway." A
siren could be heard in the distance, getting closer.

"I take it we don't need to tell the cops anymore, about the club, I mean?"

"Nope, it was Rachel on the stretcher. Come on, there's not much more we can do
here tonight." Terri said, starting the engine.

* * *

"Shouldn't you be wearing gloves, or something?" asked Nikki as they sat side
by side on Terri's couch. Terri was examining a package they'd picked up from reception at
Nikki's hotel on their way back home from the club.

"Something? What exactly did you have in mind?" asked Terri, smiling to
herself as she turned the package over in her hands, studying the bulky envelope
carefully.

"Don't tempt me, Farmer. I meant those little rubber gloves you see people on TV
using, so they don't disturb the evidence."

"Rubber, huh? Kinky."

"Quit it, Farmer. Just open the damn package."

"Maybe we should leave it till the morning, it's past one thirty now, I'm sure you
need your beauty sleep."

"What, you think I can sleep now?" asked Nikki incredulously.

"Just a thought. Okay, here we go." She slid her finger under the flap,
prying it open. Looking into the package she could see some folded sheets of A4 paper,
wrapped around a video cassette. She carefully emptied the contents onto the glass table,
checking that the envelope was empty.

Holding the pages by the corner she opened them out, pushing the cassette to one side
using the knuckle of her little finger.

"So, you don't want to disturb the evidence then?"

"Never said I did. You never know, we might get lucky and they might be stupid,
but I wouldn't hold your breath on that."

The first page had some writing which simply said "She's pretty. Tall, but pretty.
You have good taste, but will the Stevensons agree?"

"The Stevensons?" asked Terri.

"Family that runs the company I work for." Terri nodded.

She slid the first page away, revealing the next page and its pictures. They were of
Terri, coming and going from the main door of her apartment, all taken at street level.

Terri ignored Nikki's comment and carefully picked up the video cassette, taking it
over to her player. It was a clip of Nikki and Terri with their arms around each other.
They watched themselves leave the taxi and go up the stairs to Terri's apartment.

"But you were helping me up the stairs after I left the hospital," said Nikki
indignantly.

"Yeah, but if you didn't know that..."

"Just friggin' typical!"

"What?"

"I'm being blackmailed for something I didn't even get to enjoy!" fumed
Nikki.

Terri laughed, which didn't help Nikki's disposition much.

"You're in the same boat, Farmer."

Terri shrugged, grinning. "True, but I know my boss and she's cool with me helping
less fortunates up some stairs. She won't mind at all."

"I'm glad this is all such a joke to you, Farmer." Nikki said despondently.

"Wow, you really bought my sad puppy look!" said Nikki, snapping back into a
smug grin.

Terri's eyes narrowed. "Oh, like that is it? Well, two can play games, Ms
Takis." she said, cracking her knuckles ominously.

"Typical, all you types understand is violence," scoffed Nikki, but still
grinning.

"Your time will come, Blondie, and when it does, then wham!" she said,
emphasising her words by smacking her fist into her other hand.

"Ooh, big brave warrior gal, beating up on a little thing like me," Nikki
said prodding Terri in a sensitive spot under her back ribs.

Terri flinched. "Quit it, Takis."

"Yeah, what're you gonna do about it?" Nikki said, prodding her in the same
spot.

"I said quit it, or face the consequences," Terri growled.

"I ain't scared of you." She tried to prod Terri again but found herself flat
on her back on the sofa, both hands held firmly above her head.

"I warned you, little girl," Terri said menacingly, slowly and deliberately
transferring both of Nikki's wrists to her left hand, freeing her right. Nikki swallowed
nervously, her throat having suddenly gone dry. "Now you face the consequences."
She lowered her face to within a few inches of Nikki's.

Nikki closed her eyes, her breathing speeding up. She began to raise her head to meet
Terri half-way when Terri's hand flashed down and started to tickle her. Nikki's eyes shot
open in surprise, then scrunched tight shut again.

"No please... I can't... stand to be tickled. Please... Farmer... Noooooooo!"
She writhed about, but could move very little with Terri holding her down so firmly. She
only had one card left to play. "Owwwww, please, Farmer... my back!" she gasped.

Terri leapt off Nikki as if she'd been stung.

"Shit, I'm sorry, Nikki, I totally forgot. Here, let me have a look, make sure
nothing's damaged. Nikki reluctantly rolled over, pulling up her shirt, a grin of triumph
on her face that Terri couldn't see.

"Everything seems okay," said Terri, gently running her hands up and down the
sides of Nikki's dressing. Nikki closed her eyes, sighing softly at Terri's touch. She
frowned when Terri pulled her shirt back down and smacked her lightly on the shoulder.

"No harm done. I'm really sorry, Nikki, I don't know what came over me. It won't
happen again, I promise."

"It's okay, I rather enjoyed it, to tell you the truth," she said, rolling
over and standing up, tucking her shirt in.

"Hmm, I guess you did, judging by that smirk on your face."

"I don't smirk."

"Yeah, right." They both looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"Why are you laughing?" giggled Nikki, caught in the moment.

"Maybe because I've got a good lead on a case."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah. Who knew you'd be here and who else knew where to take pictures from?"

Nikki shrugged. "You tell me, you're the detective."

"I think we need to have a word with the people you used at your dad's place to
track me down."

"Why the hell would any of them pull a stunt like this?"

"That's one of the questions I intend to ask them."

"Now who's smirking?"

"I don't smirk. I stopped smirking years ago."

"Very funny, Farmer." They both looked at each other and started laughing
again.

* * *

Terri stood in the doorway to Nikki's room, observing her silently as she slept. A
small smile played around Nikki's lips as she mumbled something in her sleep followed by
what sounded suspiciously to Terri like a contented sigh.

'Gods, Farmer, where the hell did that come from? You hardly know the girl... woman,
and already you're having tickle fights with her? Jesus, that's so unprofessional, what
the hell were you thinking?' she berated herself.

Shaking her head in disbelief she padded back to her own room and closed the door.

* * *

"So, is it back to the club, or go see my dad's office?" asked Nikki,
munching her way through a bowl of cereal. Terri was doing sit-ups, using her metal foot
loops.

"The rent just went up, Blondie," she shouted back, through the open door of
the bathroom. Nikki grinned at her ability to rile Terri so easily. She leaned back on the
comfy leather chair, looking over to the bathroom. She realised the door was open enough
for her to see the mirrored wall at the back. Her breath caught as she watched Terri
stepping into the shower.

"Oh, nothing, Farmer, just something on the TV," she called back, breathing a
sigh of relief at her quick thinking. Terri stepped from the shower and started to dry
herself. Nikki closed her eyes and sighed. 'Why me? This is just so not fair!'

"Problem?"

Nikki jumped. Terri was standing right next to her, towelling her hair dry.

"Er, no, everything's just fine."

"You looked a little worried there for a moment."

"No, I'm fine. Even my back's feeling better, see," she said, bending over
and twisting to demonstrate her new-found suppleness.

"That's good. Maybe we can get a bit more done now you're on the mend," said
Terri, moving off to her bedroom.

Nikki closed her eyes and moaned in frustration, shaking her head slowly from side to
side.

Part Five

Terri paid the man in the kiosk, taking the paper he held out in return. She quickly
flipped through the pages looking for any news on the incident at the club.

"Couldn't you just ask your friends at the station?" asked Nikki, walking by
her side as they made their way through the congested streets of the City, the commercial
centre of London. They were heading for the main offices of Sparcon, the shipping company
owned by Nikki's father.

"I could, but this might tell me what I need to know," replied Terri, still
scanning the pages, deftly weaving in and out of the pedestrian traffic without looking up
from her paper.

"Do you have built-in radar?" asked Nikki, having been bumped for what seemed
like the hundredth time by on-comers.

"It helps being six feet tall, they tend to see you coming," Terri answered,
still reading the paper.

"You saying I'm short?"

"Wouldn't dream of it, Kontos."

"That's a bit harsh, isn't it?" said Nikki indignantly.

"Not really."

"Farmer, did you just say what I thought you said?"

"What did you think I said?"

"I'm not going to say."

"That makes it a little hard for me to answer then, doesn't it?"

"You said something crude."

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did!"

Terri grinned at Nikki. "Calm down, I said 'Kontos', it's Greek."

"Oh," said Nikki blushing lightly. "Of course... I knew that. What does
it mean?"

"You don't speak your mother tongue?"

"I sure do, I speak American, just like my mom."

"Uh-huh, well read this," Terri said, handing over the neatly folded
newspaper, pointing to a small item on the previous night's events at the club.

Nikki read out loud "Police are treating as suspicious an incident in a private
club in Soho in which a woman drank some corrosive cleaning fluid. The unnamed woman is
said to be poorly but in a stable condition, said a hospital spokesperson last
night."

"Interesting, don't you think?" said Terri.

Nikki shrugged. "I suppose... er, why?"

"Well, for one thing there's no mention of the club's name, nor the name of the
victim herself, let alone that Rachel's a policewoman."

"What does that mean, that the journalists are lazy, or what?"

"It means that someone's deliberately keeping it low key and out of the
papers."

"Is that good or bad?"

"Don't know yet. It could mean many things."

"I thought you said it was interesting?"

"Interesting's such a relative term, don't you think?"

"Why are conversations with you such a chore, Farmer?"

"Are they?"

"See, there you go, answering a question with a question."

"Do I?"

"I give up."

"Good, because we're here."

They both looked up at the towering skyscraper looming above them. Nikki stumbled
slightly but Terri caught her, still looking upward herself.

"Yeah, they are pretty weasely, now you come to mention it," Nikki grinned.

They passed through the revolving doors into a small, nondescript room. A board on the
wall detailed who was housed on what floor. Ten lifts with several people standing waiting
completed the foyer. Terri and Nikki managed to get a lift to themselves.

"So, Sparcon only takes a couple of floors, I thought it would be more." said
Terri.

"No, this is only their London office, the main headquarters are in Athens,"
replied Nikki.

"That where your dad is?"

"Probably, though he could be anywhere, Sparcon's got offices in New York and Hong
Kong, plus a few other places."

"You go to any of them much?"

"Not really, only if there's a boat show near-by."

"Do they have that many boat shows?"

"Enough to keep me travelling for a lot of the year."

"Must be a hard life."

"Well, someone's gotta do it, so I figure it might as well be me," Nikki
said, smiling smugly.

"Have you considered your future with Sparcon?"

"No, not really. What do I know about running a shipping company?"

"Christos seems to see you as a threat."

"He's a jerk."

"Doesn't mean he's wrong."

"Well, I don't want the stupid job, and the sooner these goons understand that,
the sooner they'll leave me alone."

"What did you mean when you said that they wanted to hurt you?"

"I think they want me to lose my job and come and work for them."

"Who's them, your dad?"

"No, I don't think he's involved. I think there are people in the company that
don't want to see Christos take over, and they think I'd make a convenient
substitute."

"How long before your dad steps down?"

"Oh, decades in theory, but every now and then he threatens to retire early and
'leave it to the kids' as he says."

"How do you know this if you never see him?"

"I've been told."

"By who?"

"Well, John, for one."

"John?"

"Yeah, he's the guy I asked to find where you lived. His team does all sorts of
searches and investigations into whatever the company needs."

"How do you know you can trust him?"

"Jesus, Farmer, you're as suspicious as Christos."

"Maybe, but I've found it's the best way to be."

"Best for what?"

"You don't get hurt so much."

Nikki snorted. "Can't see anything hurting you, Farmer."

"What makes you think that?"

"You're so... together, so at ease with yourself, assured and confident,
dynamic... stuff like that."

'Yeah, well add lonely and bored to the list,' Terri thought sadly to herself.

"What you thinking?" asked Nikki.

"That it's a nice lift."

"Right... er, nice."

"Where are we going?" asked Terri.

"Eighteenth floor. That's where operations lives. Where John and his team hang
out."

"Why have offices in London at all?"

"Back when my great-great-grandfather founded the company it was originally called
the Anglo-Greek Shipping Company. Back when Britannia ruled the waves, it was de rigueur
to have a presence here. Not so important now, of course."

"No, I guess not."

"I believe they used to have over half this building back in the seventies, but
it's shrunk to just two floors now."

"You weren't even born in the seventies."

"So, I can read, you know."

Terri was about to reply when the lift arrived. A large imposing desk, complete with a
sleekly groomed woman, blocked the way to the rest of the floor. Two security guards stood
impassively behind her, apparently ready to repel all unauthorised boarders.

"Ms Takis, a pleasure to see you again, and so soon after your last visit,"
said the woman behind the desk.

"Hi Gloria. This is Terri Farmer, she's my guest, I'm going to show her
around."

"Would you like any assistance?"

"Nah, I've got it covered."

The receptionist managed a fixed smile and nodded.

"Would you care to fill out a visitors form please, Miss Farmer?" Gloria
asked, sliding a piece of paper towards Terri. Nikki took the form and ripped it in half,
dropping it back on the desk.

"Not required, she's my guest," she announced sweetly.

"Miss Takis, it's company policy that all visitors--" Nikki leaned forward
holding up a hand, shutting Gloria up mid-sentence.

"One day I'll be running this company, so be nice and do what I say, huh?"
Her voice had dropped low and menacing. Gloria swallowed, simply nodding.

They swept imperiously past reception, down a long corridor into a small office. A
large door with Nikki's father's name was at the other end, behind an expensive desk.

Terri raised her eyebrows. "So, you're going for the top job after all?"

Nikki shrugged. "Nah, but she doesn't know that. You have to put them in their
place every so often, they forget themselves. We can ask John to come up and see us in
Dad's office and get this all cleared up."

"I take it you don't think John is involved in your blackmail, or any conspiracy
to dump Christos?"

"No, I'm pretty sure he's clean."

"How do you know for sure."

"He's in love with me," Nikki said casually.

"He doesn't know you play on the other team?"

"It's never come up in conversation, but as his job's research and investigation I
can't imagine he doesn't know."

"But you do keep it hidden enough to worry about what your present employers might
think."

"It's dumb. I'm pretty sure they won't care one way or the other, but they're old
fashioned enough to think that it matters that they appear to be, so they'll feel obliged
to do something. The stupid thing is, I doubt anyone really cares that much these days,
they're all just afraid about what the other person thinks and they act accordingly. If we
could just get people to realise that nobody cares it would all just go away."

"You can always try for Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park, I'm sure we can find an
extra tall soap box for you."

"You're making fun of me again, Farmer."

"Never," Terri said straight-faced.

"Good, because I'll be forced to prod you in the ribs again."

"That'll cost extra."

"It'd be worth it."

They stared into each other's eyes for a moment till Terri broke away and perched
herself on the secretary's desk. "Shall we call John and get this show on the
road," she asked.

Nikki opened the door and stepped through with Terri a pace behind. Had Terri not
possessed the reflexes she did, she would have crashed into the back of Nikki who had
stopped still, mid-stride.

"Hello, Nikkoletta," said a man behind a huge desk filling one wall.

"Dad?"

"In the flesh." He spoke in clipped English without a trace of an accent.

"How come... no one said... why..."

"No one but you and your friend knows I'm here." He stood up and came round
the desk, holding out his hands. Nikki ran into his outstretched arms, both of them
hugging each other.

"Oh, Dad, it's been too long," Nikki whispered, tears in her eyes.

"I know, little one, I know."

"How'd you get here without anyone seeing you?"

"I can't tell you all my secrets, Nikki," he said, smiling.

"Hidden executive lift," said Terri. Nikki relaxed her hold on her Dad,
swinging round to look at Terri. He laughed, but didn't deny Terri's statement.

"You must be the redoubtable Miss Farmer," he said, holding out his hand.

She took it, returning the strong grip measure for measure. "And how do you know
who I am?"

"I know lots of things, Miss Farmer. I'm grateful for the help you've given my
daughter over the past couple of days."

"You knew about that?" asked Nikki.

"My own daughter being admitted to hospital with a major wound? I could hardly
miss it, there were so many communications on the matter."

"You never called," Nikki said reproachfully.

"I knew you were in good hands."

"Your fatherly concern does you proud," said Terri.

"Farmer..." growled Nikki.

"No, she's right, I shirk my duties as a parent, I always have. That you've turned
out as well as you have it entirely due to yourself and your mother. How is she, by the
way?"

"She's fine."

"As if you don't know already," added Terri. Nikki's father slowly released
his hold on his daughter.

"You are perceptive, Miss Farmer. My information on you didn't do you nearly
enough justice."

"Oh?"

"Let me see," he said, reaching over to a slim file on his desk. He flipped
it open, reading the first page. "Teresa Jane Farmer, born eighth of December,
nineteen seventy. Educated to degree standard, reading science and engineering. Fluent in
several languages and beyond black belt in at least two of the martial arts. Joined the
British Army as a graduate student, fast tracked through Sandhurst, where you passed out
top of your year. Seconded to the United Nations peace keeping force as a Captain in the
Signals regiment. Resigned your commission unexpectedly. Why was that exactly, Miss
Farmer?"

"I didn't like the food."

"Of course," he said, smiling faintly. "Returned to the UK and joined
the police force, but left after only a year. The food again, I presume?"

"No, I didn't like the hat."

"Ah, quite so. Presently self-employed as a private detective. The food and hats
more to your liking there?"

"So far."

"You live in an expensive apartment in Chelsea but still owe over a million pounds
on it."

"Yeah, but I own half of it already."

"Would you care to own the other half, while you're still young, Miss
Farmer?"

"Is that some sort of threat?"

"No, no, you misunderstand me. I'm offering you a permanent position that will
help you to achieve financial security."

"What sort of position?"

"To the point. I like that, Miss Farmer. May I call you Teresa? I'm sure there's
no need for such formality."

"Farmer's just fine."

"As you wish. Well, firstly, I want you to protect my daughter. Just do what
you've been doing. Secondly, I might have an investigative job for you. Would you be
interested?"

"Depends what the job is."

"I think some of my ships are being used by an organised gang of smugglers. I wish
to put a stop to it."

"You've got John and his team, so Nikki tells me. Let them handle it."

"They have been trying but with little success so far. One might be tempted to
come to the conclusion that they're not trying very hard. But I'll give them the benefit
of the doubt for the time being. No, this would be an independent investigation by an
outsider, someone with no potential vested interests."

"Why not just hand it over to the police?"

"Of which country?"

"Whichever one suits."

"I think not."

"What if it led to places you might not be comfortable with?"

"Ah, you mean my son?" Terri raised her eyebrows in acknowledgement. "I
don't care where it leads, I want the truth. Does this mean you're interested?"

"I'll think about it."

"You're very quiet, Nikki," he said, turning to his daughter.

"It's all a bit sudden, Dad, is all. I'm having trouble taking it all in."

"That's understandable."

"Is there any point in asking to see John now?" asked Terri.

"I've had words, it won't happen again."

"What won't?" asked Nikki, a puzzled look on her face.

"I think someone misinterpreted one of your orders, no?" said Terri.

"Again, I admire your astuteness, Miss Farmer. Yes, somebody over-reacted when I
suggested casually to them that it would be interesting to put my two children under some
pressure to see what they were made of."

"What the hell did you do that for?" demanded Nikki.

"It wasn't my plan to see either of you hurt, I assure you."

"Well I hope you fired the sorry sonofabitch's ass," ranted Nikki.

"He has been dealt with, I promise you. Now, Miss Farmer, what is your
decision?"

"Let me think on it. I've got other things to deal with at the moment. I can't
just drop them."

"If it's a financial problem then that can be dealt with swiftly, Miss
Farmer."

"Not everything revolves around money, Mr Takis. Or can I call you Alex, now that
we're not being so formal?"

He smiled his thin smile again. "I like you, Farmer. I can't tell you how
refreshing it is, not to have yet more obsequious fawning."

"I try my best."

"Yes, I think you do." He looked at his watch. "Still, time is money and
I'm booked on a flight to Moscow in an hour. If you don't mind I've a few things to attend
to before I go."

"How will I contact you," asked Terri. He reached into his jacket and pulled
out a business card.

"That's my private mobile and my secretary's private line. One of us will always
answer twenty-four hours a day. Please contact me when you have something to tell
me."

"Come on, Nikki, we're being politely thrown out."

"Dad?" Nikki said, looking at her father.

"Go with Miss Farmer, Nikkoletta, you're in good hands."

"But... but... "

"Come on," Terri said, gently taking Nikki's arm and leading her to the door.

"One more thing, Miss Farmer," Nikki's father called out.

"Yes?"

"I see that you've never been married, and you are presently without a
partner."

"You a tomboy, who'da thought?" Nikki said, smiling for the first time since
they'd left her father's office.

"Yeah, big surprise, huh."

"When did you realize it was cool to be a girl?"

Terri thought about it for some time. "Not sure really," she said quietly.
"Cost me a lot of things I really wanted, over the years."

"Farmer, you can't be serious, you couldn't be more woman if you tried."

"Didn't say I wasn't any good at it," Terri smiled.

"Not that you bother with all the frilly stuff. No makeup, no girly clothes, but
you can't hide what you are. I bet the boys were all over you in college."

"A few tried."

"And?"

"They didn't try a second time."

"Kick-ass even then, huh?"

"My dad let me go to karate lessons from when I was four," Terri said, her
eyes losing focus as she thought about the past. "My mum wanted me to go to dance
lessons and piano. We compromised on martial arts. She must've talked herself into
believing it was just another form of dancing." Terri laughed at the thought.

"But your dad knew?"

"Oh yeah. He used to take me to the competitions."

"I bet you had a room full of trophies."

"A couple."

"Is that when you wanted to be a boy?"

"Yeah, they had all the power. I had to work so hard just to be as strong. I felt
I'd been cheated. Then I figured God just wanted me to work harder than all the
others."

"Which you did, of course."

"They took their muscles for granted, I didn't."

Nikki reached out and squeezed Terri's upper arm. Her bicep tensed at the touch,
swelling slightly. It felt like oak covered in velvet to Nikki.

Nikki frowned at the thought of Terri not being around for much longer. "Well, you
must be getting to like me."

"And why's that?"

Nikki swung round and started walking backwards a few paces ahead of Terri.
"Because you let me touch you and you didn't flinch or toss me on my butt," she
said grinning. Terri stopped walking, reflexively touching her arm where Nikki had
squeezed her.

"You'll catch a fly," Nikki called, still grinning.

* * *

They reached the Thames, neither of them apparently in any hurry to locate a taxi for
the ride home. Nikki leaned on the railing overlooking the large river. Across from them,
on the opposite bank, they could see the London Eye, the capital's latest landmark, a huge
Ferris wheel built to commemorate the new millennium.

"Impressive," Nikki said.

"I suppose," Terri replied.

"Nothing much impresses you, does it?"

"A few things."

"Such as?"

"What is this, bug the bodyguard day, or something?"

"Just answer the question, Farmer."

"Why should I?"

"I'm the boss, remember?"

"Oh yeah, silly me."

"Well?"

"You wanna know what impresses me?"

"Yeah, and don't say employers who don't ask any questions, either!"

Terri was about to comment on that, but she thought better of it; instead, she closed
her eyes briefly, shaking her head. "I like watching the sunrise on the African
plains. I like the way light reflects off a butterfly's wings. I like sitting in a comfy
chair reading Shakespeare on wet Sunday afternoons. I like people who respect the sanctity
of life. I like the smell of new-mown grass. Most of all, I like people who leave me
alone."

"Wow, Farmer. And I thought you'd tell me how impressive a Smith 'n Wesson was, or
how great a Chevy V8 sounded."

"Yeah, well, it just shows you never really know anyone, no matter how much you
think you do," Terri said, walking off towards the Tower.

Nikki jogged up beside her. "You're not cross, are you?"

"Nope."

"You kinda look it, a little."

"Not cross, 'promise."

"Good. Where're we going?"

"There'll be plenty of taxis up by the Tower, what with all the tourists, an'
all."

"Wow, the Tower of London. I've never been there."

"Just a castle full of old stuff."

"Not on your list, then."

"Nope."

"Why not?"

"It's a homage to war and death."

"I thought you liked all that?"

"Used to, not anymore."

"Is that why you left the army?"

"Sort of."

"What does that mean?" asked Nikki.

"It means sort of."

"You liked the army but not the reason why it's there?"

Terri smiled. "Very good, Nikki."

"I'm not as stupid as you look, you know, Farmer."

"No, I guess you're not."

"Hey, can we stop and sit for a while?" Nikki said, pointing to one of the
many benches that lined the river's edge.

"I thought you wanted to get home."

"I do, but... my back's hurting, I'd like to rest it a little."

Terri looked at Nikki. "Why do I get the feeling that you're milking your back a
little?"

"You've got a suspicious mind, you told me so, remember?"

"Yeah I did, didn't I. Okay, we can sit awhile, if that's what you want."
Nikki grinned in triumph. They sat down, looking out over the river.

"Yes, really. That's the first requirement of any good investigator, to ask as
many questions as possible."

"That I can do."

"Yes, you can."

"So, why don't you?" asked Nikki again, after a short pause.

Terri sighed. "It's a damn good job I'm going to charge your father a lot of money
for this."

Nikki grinned. "Does that mean you're taking his job offer?"

"Not permanently, and on my terms."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Nikki beamed.

"And if you really want to know the reason I don't believe in God anymore is
because if he, she, or it, exists and they let the things I've seen happen, and go on
happening, well, they're not worthy of my, or anyone else's, belief."

"What things?" Nikki asked softly, slightly alarmed by the venom behind
Terri's words, and the sudden fire in her eyes.

"You don't want to know," Terri said flatly. Nikki could see that she had no
intention of continuing the conversation.

Nikki wanted to change the subject and said the first thing that came into her head.
"Did you ever have any dolls when you were a kid?" 'Ooh, that was lame, even
for you, Nikki,' she winced.

Terri paused for a moment, raising an eyebrow. "A few."

"What sort?" asked Nikki, surprised that Terri had even answered the
question.

Terri coughed and shrugged slightly. "I erm... I had a couple of Action Men. I
think they called them G.I. Joes over on your side of the pond."

"Figures," she said, smiling. "No Barbies?"

"Didn't want one."

"I had loads of them, plus tons of accessories."

"I bet you did, Miss Silver Spoon in her Mouth. I had to make do with a heavy
machine gun emplacement and a frogman's outfit, but they were cool. I gave my Action Men
names, they were Clint and Burt."

"Cute."

"Burt was never the same after Prince chewed him and buried him in the back
garden; suffered some real battle fatigue." Terri smiled at the memory.

"I take it that was a dog formerly known as Prince?"

"Yeah, a big old Alsatian. One of his ears always hung down, never did stand up
like the other one. Daft as a brush, but he loved us unconditionally, for all that."

Nikki smiled back. "I can beat that; my mom caught me having two of my Barbies
making out on their fairy tale four-poster bed."

Terri laughed out loud. "Even then it was an exclusive girl's club, huh?"

"Oh yeah, I knew even back then that would be no Ken in my life."

"How old were you?"

"Seven or eight, something like that."

"And you knew all about the birds and bees at eight?"

"No, not really. I just knew that I didn't like boys. Not just 'cause they were
loud and stupid. Hell, there's plenty of girls afflicted the same way, it's just I knew,
and that's all there was to it."

"What did your mum say when she found you and the Barbies?"

"She said I shouldn't do that in public but it was okay at home."

"That was all, no recriminations, no rants?"

"No, she was cool about it."

"Chalk one up for your Ma, I like her already."

"Yeah, she is kinda neat," Nikki smiled.

"And how did your dad react, assuming you've told him."

"I did, when I was fifteen. He didn't react at all, just said 'Oh' and left it at
that."

"Could've been worse."

"True, the horror stories a couple of my friends tell just defy description."

"It's a cruel world."

"That it is," Nikki replied, sadly. They watched another barge drift by in
silence.